WEST DEMAND FOR EMERGENCY WATER ‘NOT AS HIGH AS 2015’

DROUGHT SEASON IS FROM MAY TO OCTOBER ANNUALLY He said Government is continuing to provide free water to many rural areas in the division including its maritime areas

Government agencies were advised by Mr Tagicakibau to secure their buildings in preparation for the cyclone season from this month (November) to April next year.

Emergency water supply demand during this year’s drought season has not been as high as in 2015, according to Commissioner Western Manasa Tagicakibau.

Drought season is from May to October annually.

“Yes we are still carting emergency water but the demand has dropped and has not been as high as in 2015,” Mr Tagicakibau said yesterday.

Mr Tagicakibau said Government was continuing to provide free water to many rural areas in the division including its maritime areas. He said the Government, working through Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) have been working around the clock to cater for the demand. He said these included sourcing of new water supplies for settlements, upgrading existing supply provisions and installation of water tanks at villages and settlements.

“All the carting of water to the areas that have requested was being done free and this has been to a lot of rural settlements,” he said.

“As for the maritime areas, Fiji Ports Corporation Limited (FPCL) has waived berthing fees for barg- es that are taking water out to the Mamanuca and Yasawa group of islands.”

Mr Tagicakibau said advisory councillors have been given water truck schedules and it was their duty to inform residents when to expect water supplies. Meanwhile Mr Tagicakibau called a special meeting with heads of Government agencies yesterday in Lautoka which also heard a presentation from the Director of Meteorology Ravin Kumar.

Mr Kumar said some rain was expected soon and this should provide some relief to the areas that are without water. Government agencies were advised by Mr Tagicakibau to secure their buildings in preparation for the cyclone season from this month (November) to April next year. “We need to get ourselves ready and secured first so that if a cyclone does come, it would easier dealing with the situation from a secured location.

“We have been having discussions on our preparedness and making sure that everything is in place.”